UNMISS hands over new police post in Kuajena

Newly constructed Kuajena Police Post in Jur River County, Western Bahr el Ghazal State, 21 October 2022. [Photo: Radio Tamazuj]

The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) on Friday handed over a new police post in Jur River County of Western Bahr el Ghazal State to enhance security. 

Zakaria Joseph Garang, the acting governor of Western Bahr el Ghazal state, acknowledged the support of UNMISS and assured the government's commitment to maintaining security in the state. 

“We always talk about peace, security, and stability and it’s an important service that we render to our citizens, if you hear that Western Bahr El Ghazal state is stable, it’s because we are working on this. If there are still lawbreakers for some reason, we have a police station," he noted. "We want to thank our partner UNMISS."

Joseph said the government will continue to work with partners to provide services to the people and urged the community in Kuajena to support the police maintain order.

Meanwhile, the acting UNMISS Head of Field Office in Wau Leopold Kouasi, said UNMISS will continue working with the communities to identify needs and provide services. 

“Kuajena Police Station is one of the three stations including Zogolona and Hai Baggari that UNMISS founded this year. It is important to know that since 2012 UNMISS has founded 32 projects including ten police stations," Kouassi said. "For this new cycle, 2022/2023 UNMISS Wau field office has submitted 15 new projects including two police stations and one police training center which hope will be approved in Juba. It is also important to emphasize that all our Quik projects are selected in consultation with the community and the state authorities."

Asunta Akuol Majok, a resident of Kuajena Payam said the new police post will reduce crimes in the payam. 

“The station will help us a lot, all crimes that were happening in the Payam will stop. if someone looted or raped a girl on the road, they will face arrest and jail at the police station before forwarding the case to Wau town for trial,” she noted.

“We are happy with the new police station because there will be no crimes here that will be left unresolved. If there is a criminal, he or she will be arrested," said James Bond Seven, another resident. 

The police station was part of UNMISS Quick impact project and was implemented by the Community Aid Relief and Development organization (CARDO) in Wau.